BURNS -- A sign that tension from the armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge hasn’t dissipated on Oregon’s high desert followed quickly after the return of Harney County’s most famous ranchers.

Dwight Hammond Jr. and son Steven Hammond had been planning to hold a news conference at the picturesque Burns Pond, a mile out of town near the turnoff for the refuge, when traffic on the one-lane road suddenly came to a standstill.

The Hammonds sat in their car with a line of other motorists, wondering what was holding everything up Wednesday.

Beth Nakamura/Staff

(Just before a scheduled press conference at Burns Pond, traffic along the road leading to the area was halted.)

A fervent supporter of the refuge occupiers and the patriot movement suddenly emerged from a car and started filming the tie-up live on her cellphone. She wondered aloud if some type of conspiracy was afoot to block the Hammonds from speaking publicly and demanded that the sheriff respond.

After not moving for about 10 minutes, the Hammonds turned around and headed back home. They got “spooked” and didn’t want to get involved in any sort of confrontation, they said.

Apparently even a benign episode -- it turned out a lone contractor was holding back cars to allow a wide-load truck by -- can stir passions 2 1/2 years after the refuge occupation.

Beth Nakamura/Staff

(Journalists and Hammond supporters gather at Burns Pond for an ill-fated press conference.)

“It’s been a long couple of years,’’ said Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward. “I’m really looking forward to life getting back to normal for everybody.’’

The sheriff was among many in the community of about 2,800 who distanced the local ranchers from takeover leader Ammon Bundy and his followers. Bundy seized on the father and son’s case as one of the reasons they took over the refuge in January 2016.

Maxine Bernstein/Staff

(Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward in his office.)

“Dwight and Steven don’t deserve to pay for what was done at the refuge,” Ward said. He wrote a letter to the White House in support of the Hammonds’ clemency petitions and said they may have received pardons sooner had the refuge occupiers not hijacked their situation.

They were convicted in 2012 of arson on Harney County land where they had grazing rights for their cattle. They initially served shorter sentences, then were ordered back to prison in early 2016 to complete five-year mandatory minimum terms.

The sheriff said he’s not concerned about the return of some of the occupiers and their supporters to Burns to greet the Hammonds. The quickness of the Hammonds’ pardon, release and flight home seems to have curtailed preparations for any big gathering or the arrival of the Bundys.

“I’m not expecting any trouble,’’ Ward said.

These days, the sheriff said, he’s more interested in trying to stem the methamphetamine and heroin trafficking affecting his town. “That’s my focus,” he said, “not so much people waving American flags on the sidewalk

At the Malheur refuge, the drone of a lawnmower and leaves rustling in the wind were the only sounds piercing the serene natural landscape on the day the Hammonds’ flew home on the private plane of oil magnate Forrest Lucas.

Gates at the entrances and security cameras throughout the headquarters were installed after the occupation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also lost four refuge employees – about a third of its refuge staff -- because they didn’t feel secure living in the area after their offices were overtaken. They relocated to other sites and some of the jobs remain open.

“Last year, we had a lot of visitors asking about the occupation and what’s happening, but it’s died off,’’ said Jeff Mackay, the sanctuary’s deputy manager. “It’s kind of old news.”

Mackay said he had no opinion on the Hammonds’ release, but as he stood outside the headquarters main office, he seemed pleased that “the center of activities is not out here.’’